Innovation Takes Center Stage in Montana Ag
November 3, 2026
From drones and precision agriculture equipment to virtual fencing and new crop protection technologies, innovation is helping shape the future of Montana agriculture.
Those advancements took center stage during the fourth annual Montana Ag Technology Innovation Summit, held at Montana State University in Bozeman as part of the university's Celebrate Ag events.
Organized through a partnership between the Montana Agricultural Business Association (MABA), Montana State University's College of Agriculture and the Montana Department of Agriculture, the summit brought together farmers, ranchers, researchers and agribusiness leaders to explore emerging technologies and practical solutions for the state's agricultural industry.
Tanner Hoversland, president of the Montana Agricultural Business Association and agronomy manager at Moore Farmers Oil, said the summit provides an important opportunity to showcase the innovation already taking place across Montana agriculture.
"We actually are having quite a bit of innovation, and things are moving faster than what you may think," Hoversland said. "You don't always see them front and center. So I think it's been hugely important to get that message out to other people."
Throughout the event, discussions focused on how technology can help agricultural producers improve efficiency, address challenges and strengthen their operations. Topics included drone applications, precision equipment, crop protection advancements and virtual fencing technology for livestock management.
Hoversland said partnerships between industry, state government and Montana State University have played a significant role in expanding the summit's reach and impact.
"The evolution has started with our collaboration with the Montana Department of Ag, as well as the College of Agriculture here at MSU," Hoversland said. "With those connections we've made with the department and the college, we've found other avenues to reach our consumers and reach our audience."
The summit also highlighted agricultural research underway at Montana State University and the importance of connecting that work with the needs of Montana farmers and ranchers.
Dr. Sreekala Bajwa, MSU vice president for agriculture, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, emphasized the university's role in developing solutions for real-world agricultural challenges.
"I am proud to say we are the research arm of Montana agriculture," Bajwa said. "Our role here today is to bring all these partners together and establish connections and collaborations."
Bajwa said the ultimate goal is to turn those conversations and partnerships into meaningful advancements for agriculture.
"Innovation doesn't work unless it is solving real-world problems for our agriculture, natural resource and life sciences sectors," she said.
Montana State University President Dr. Brock Tessman also attended the summit, emphasizing the increasingly important relationship between agriculture, technology and Montana's business community.
"Agriculture and technology fit kind of hand in glove," Tessman said. "The future of tech, at least in Montana, is going to depend a lot on how that technology can be applied to agriculture."
Tessman pointed to labor shortages, rising production costs and productivity challenges as areas where emerging technologies could provide valuable solutions for agricultural producers.
He also emphasized the role of Montana businesses in helping bring new technologies from research and development into practical use on farms and ranches.
As Montana agriculture continues to evolve, summit organizers hope the relationships, research and ideas shared during the event will help drive future innovation while keeping the needs of farmers and ranchers at the forefront.
The annual Montana Ag Technology Innovation Summit continues to serve as a platform for connecting agriculture, research and industry to help build a more efficient and resilient future for Montana's agricultural economy.
Source: Western Ag Network
